Sunday 12 October 2008

L'EXCITATION : Le matin : jour 4






Day four was just beginning.

The beckoning morning sun was shouting through the window, and the chimney pots were all terra cotta and hot, at the thoughts we had racing through our heads.

We met Michael, as arranged and stormed like the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote down into the Parisian depths of the Métro, Grands Boulevards. With one interchange we re-emerged at Abbesses; to my delight - it remains one of Hector Guimard's prettiest Métro entrances, - in the Place of the same name.

As we strode out noisily towards la Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, Michael showed us all the gorgeous little alleys, churches and "Le Carrousel", a Salon de Thé on the corner of Rue Chappe and Rue des Trois Frères.

At La Butte Montmartre we were struck by how high we were; so quickly hopped aboard the Funiculaire rather than walk the 222 steps to the top. While thinking how close Parisians can be to their maker here, we suddenly saw him but we had arrived a month too soon. We would have to place our trust in Father Michael.

And so we did..... what amazing fun this was.....

Next, Sex Shops, Moulin Rouge and a bloke who arrived by scooter...

19 comments:

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

That last line seems to say that Eric arranged to meet you at the sex shops. Je ne le crois pas!!

Love the photo of dear Michael. The speed of these trips is quite daunting. I am not a racearound type of girl. I would be content to be sitting in cafes talking to Eric and Michael and sauntering rather than running around all the gorgeous streets. I used to be a marcher, but you miss so much! Slow down and smell the coffee, I say. lol !

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

By the way, you have so many fans, I bet you and Mme are making your blog posts a real priority in your house! Careful - these people are demanding, it seems; this morning I had an email telling me OFF because I hadn't posted a pic of a requested area!! Even challenged the fact that I'd been ill for a while and my car had been off the road! I had already apologised of course, but it was not enough; I was torn off a strip. That was a first, I must say! Your fans won't do that. But - we do love it and want more and more! x

M.Benaut said...

Sacré bleu, Lynn; tu ne le crois pas ?

Quand à Paris, fais comme les Romains font !!!

Michael Salone said...

Well you're right Lynn. I probably raced them around too much, but when you have only a couple of days with these wonderful people you want to just show them everything!

Of course, you wouldn't know. You haven't made it over for that glass of wine along the Seine yet. :-(

Michael Salone said...

Don't we look good Mme! Right in front of that antique perfume bottle shop! Oh if Monsieur had only let you loose inside...

Webradio said...

Bonjour !
Encore une jolie ballade, bien racontée, et agrémentée de jolies photos !

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

A perfume bottle shop? How divine.

Oh but Michael you know how badly I want that wine by the Seine... as soon as possible I shall be there don't you worry. No racing though. lol ! Though I have to say your guiding the Benauts was fantastic. A very kind thing to do. You must have all been high on joy and exhaustion.

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

Oui, Monsieur, tu as raison, t'as raison... :)

dive said...

Ah, the Guimard, Monsieur! I cannot thank you enough for posting that!

And Michael, too! It is so nice to meet the famous Parisians at last instead of relying on profile photos (which in Michael's case makes him look a little young, though I must say he still has great legs)!

I can't wait for the Moulin Rouge!

Nathalie H.D. said...

I can't wait for the Moulin Rouge and the sex shops either, remembering what madame told me!!!

Ah lucky you that you have madame's health as an excuse for using the Funiculaire! I was in Montmartre in July with my two daughters and of course we WALKED all the way up.

Nice portrait of Michael too!

guille said...

Michael is so devoted! The day after, he told me that he was broke...but happy.
The Sacré Coeur is just amazing: awesome point of view and wonderful architecture.

Short and shirt Mike, that the Parisian-in-holiday outifit!

Scooter?! you said scooter?

guille said...

outfit* of course

M.Benaut said...

Je pense que le Français, a pensé que Michael était un Australien.
Il certainement a été tellement bien habillé, pour l'occasion ! !
Si je peux me rappeler, correctement, il a fait à plus que 30° ce jour.
Ce doit être pourquoi tout le monde lui a parlé en anglais.
Naturellement, ils tous m'ont parlé en français, non ?

Virginia said...

Oh the Pope was there in spirit and blessed you because the Funiculaire was WORKING! It was not on my last visit. 222 steps up, more to the church, and then we got confused in teh basement trying to see the Crypts and ended up climbing ALL THE WAY TO THE DOME! Whew. Got the best photograph of my whole career. Email me and I will send it toyou.
I am STILL out of breath.

Michael Salone said...

Guille said, "The day after, he told me that he was broke...but happy." I think what she meant was "tired" not "broke". The Benaut's are very cheap dates!

Monsieur, your French is perfect. It's my written French that has a lot to be desired. I wouldn't dare expose mine here. My French that is...

As for the shorts, it WAS hot that day, but glorious. Dive, I appreciate that you noticed my legs. My only outstanding feature, unless you count my stomach which is always standing out.

M.Benaut said...

J'ai cru que nous avons fait un trio exceptionnel, Michael.
Je n'ai pas mérité si tel magnifique traitement !!
Très bientôt nous serons au Boulevard de Clichy, et plus tard, Les Jardins de Luxembourg.
À bientôt mon bon ami...

Jules said...

What wonderful weather and what wonderful company!!!
You have done Paris well!!!

M.Benaut said...

That's funny Jules, because we DID meet God; only she happened to be a Goddess !!

Hint, - someone in the comments above.

Wait for day five. You should get a laugh-or-seven.
So did Eric.

Patience.

xxx

Kate said...

The Art Deco metro is my favorite. Good shot!